Dancing with the Stars: Juniors explained

Genre:Reality competition
Based On:Dancing with the Stars
Narrated:Alan Dedicoat
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:9
Location:CBS Television City
Los Angeles, California
Runtime:40–86 minutes
Company:BBC Studios
Channel:ABC
Related:Dancing with the Stars

Dancing with the Stars: Juniors is an American children's dance competition television series that premiered on October 7, 2018, on ABC. It was a spin-off of the Dancing with the Stars series. The format of the show featured celebrity children (either in their own right or having celebrity parentage) paired with professional junior ballroom dancers and mentored by an adult professional dancer. The couples competed against each other by performing choreographed dance routines in front of a panel of judges.[1] In September 2019, ABC cancelled the series after one season.[2]

Format

Like Dancing with the Stars, the scores used for eliminations were based 50% on the judges' scores and 50% on audience voting. Unlike the parent series, only studio audience members who are not family members during each week's episode were able to vote; there is no at-home voting. The team with the lowest total score after combining votes and judges' scores is eliminated.[3]

Cast

Couples and mentors

On August 1, 2018, the junior professional dancers and adult mentors were revealed.[4] On September 25, during the second episode of season 27 of Dancing with the Stars, the junior celebrities were announced.[5]

Cast of Dancing with the Stars: Juniors
CelebrityNotabilityProfessional partnerCoachStatus
Tripp Johnston PalinSon of Bristol Palin & grandson of Sarah PalinHailey BillsJenna JohnsonEliminated 1st
[6]
Addison Osta SmithMasterChef Junior winnerLev Cameron Khmelev Keo Motsepe
Hudson WestGeneral Hospital actorKameron CouchHayley ErbertEliminated 3rd
[7]
Sophia PippenDaughter of Scottie & Larsa PippenJake MonrealSasha FarberEliminated 4th
[8]
Alana "Honey Boo Boo" ThompsonHere Comes Honey Boo Boo starTristan IanieroArtem ChigvintsevEliminated 5th
[9]
Jason MaybaumRaven's Home & Freaky Friday actor Elliana WalmsleyEmma SlaterEliminated 6th
[10]
Akash VukotiScripps National Spelling Bee participant Kamri PetersonWitney CarsonEliminated 7th
[11]
Mandla MorrisSon of Stevie Wonder & fashion designerBrightyn BremsCheryl BurkeEliminated 8th
[12]
Miles BrownBlack-ish actorRylee ArnoldLindsay ArnoldRunners-up
[13]
Ariana GreenblattStuck in the Middle actressArtyon CelestineBrandon Armstrong
Mackenzie ZieglerDancer, singer & actressSage RosenGleb Savchenko
Sky BrownProfessional skateboarderJT ChurchAlan BerstenWinners

Hosts and judges

Dancing with the Stars season 25 winner Jordan Fisher and finalist Frankie Muniz served as the hosts.[14] Two-time professional champion Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Emmy winning choreographer Mandy Moore, and season 26 celebrity champion Adam Rippon served as the judges.[15]

Dance troupe

The Dancing with the Stars: Juniors troupe consisted of Makeila Lawrence, Cody Bingham, Reese Hatala, Sebastian Jozuka, and Daniel Novikov. They were mentored by Dancing with the Stars troupe member Morgan Larson.[16] [17]

Scoring charts

The highest score each week is indicated in . The lowest score each week is indicated in .

CouplePlace1234567898+9
Sky & JT122222426232729+28=5730+30=117
Miles & Rylee222272628+30=5828+30=116
Ariana & Artyon2522272728+28=30+28=
Mackenzie & Sage222527272630+30=28+30=
Mandla & Brightyn52221232527bgcolor=f4c7b8
Akash & Kamri6212121bgcolor=f4c7b8
Jason & Elliana718212225bgcolor=f4c7b8 25
Honey Boo Boo & Tristan81921bgcolor=f4c7b8
Sophia & Jake92120bgcolor=f4c7b8
Hudson & Kameron1022bgcolor=f4c7b8 22
Tripp & Hailey11bgcolor=f4c7b8 17
Addison & Levbgcolor=f4c7b8

Weekly scores

Individual judges' scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Mandy Moore, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Adam Rippon.

Week 1: First Dances

Each couple performed the cha-cha-cha, foxtrot, jive or salsa. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

CoupleScores[18] DanceMusic[19] Result
Jason & Elliana18 (6, 6, 6)Cha-cha-cha"Bills" — LunchMoney LewisSafe
Tripp & Hailey17 (5, 6, 6)Foxtrot"Mama Said" — The Shirellesbgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Addison & Lev15 (5, 5, 5)Cha-cha-cha"Burnin' Up" — Jessie J, featuring 2 Chainzbgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Miles & Rylee22 (8, 7, 7)Salsa"Who Let the Dogs Out?" — Baha MenSafe
Sophia & Jake21 (7, 7, 7)Jive"Do You Love Me" — The ContoursSafe
Hudson & Kameron22 (7, 7, 8)Cha-cha-cha"There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" — Shawn MendesSafe
Ariana & Artyon24 (8, 8, 8)Cha-cha-cha"Cut to the Feeling" — Carly Rae JepsenSafe
Mackenzie & Sage22 (7, 7, 8)Foxtrot"New York, New York" — Ray Quinn, featuring Ultra LoveSafe
Honey Boo Boo & Tristan19 (6, 6, 7)Salsa"Conga" — Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound MachineSafe
Mandla & Brightyn24 (8, 8, 8)Jive"Land of a Thousand Dances" — Chris KennerSafe
Akash & Kamri21 (7, 7, 7)Foxtrot"L-O-V-E" — Nat King ColeSafe
Sky & JT22 (7, 8, 7)Salsa"Light It Up" — Major Lazer, featuring Nyla & Fuse ODGSafe

Week 2: Song from the Year I Was Born

Individual judges' scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Mandy Moore, Adam Rippon.

Each couple performed one unlearned dance to a song that came out the year the celebrities were born. The Argentine tango, paso doble, and quickstep were introduced. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

CoupleScores[20] DanceMusic[21] Result
Mackenzie & Sage24 (8, 8, 8)Quickstep"Are You Gonna Be My Girl" — JetSafe
Sky & JT22 (7, 7, 8)Cha-cha-cha"Just Dance" — Lady Gaga, featuring Colby O'DonisSafe
Sophia & Jake20 (7, 6, 7)FoxtrotSafe
Jason & Elliana21 (7, 7, 7)Jive"Shake It" — Metro StationSafe
Mandla & Brightyn22 (7, 7, 8)Salsa"Pump It" — The Black Eyed PeasSafe
Hudson & Kameron22 (7, 8, 7)Paso doble"4 Minutes" — Madonna, featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbalandbgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Miles & Rylee24 (8, 8, 8)Argentine tango"I Don't Want to Be" — Gavin DeGrawSafe
Honey Boo Boo & Tristan19 (6, 6, 7)Cha-cha-cha"Don't Cha" — The Pussycat DollsSafe
Akash & Kamri21 (7, 7, 7)Cha-cha-cha"Dynamite" — Taio CruzSafe
Ariana & Artyon24 (8, 8, 8)Jive"Girlfriend" — Avril LavigneSafe

Week 3: Disney Night

Each couple performed one unlearned dance to a song from a Disney film. The Charleston, contemporary, jazz, and samba were introduced. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

CoupleScores[22] DanceMusic[23] Disney filmResult
Sophia & Jake19 (7, 6, 6)Samba"Poor Unfortunate Souls" — Pat CarrollThe Little Mermaidbgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Mackenzie & Sage27 (9, 9, 9)Contemporary"Colors of the Wind" — Tori KellyPocahontasSafe
Ariana & Artyon25 (9, 8, 8)Samba"Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" — Mark Kealiʻi HoʻomaluLilo & StitchSafe
Mandla & Brightyn21 (7, 7, 7)Jazz"Un Poco Loco" — Gael García Bernal & Anthony GonzalezCocoSafe
Miles & Rylee27 (9, 9, 9)Charleston"One Jump Ahead" — Brad KaneAladdinSafe
Honey Boo Boo & Tristan21 (7, 7, 7)Foxtrot"Something There" — Howard Ashman & Alan MenkenBeauty and the BeastSafe
Sky & JT24 (8, 8, 8)Contemporary"How Far I'll Go" — Auliʻi CravalhoMoanaSafe
Jason & Elliana22 (8, 7, 7)Foxtrot"You've Got a Friend in Me" — Jordan Fisher, featuring Olivia HoltToy StorySafe
Akash & Kamri21 (7, 7, 7)Jive"Zero to Hero" — Ariana GrandeHerculesSafe

Week 4: Halloween Night

Each couple performed one unlearned dance to Halloween themes and songs. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

CoupleScores[24] DanceMusic[25] Result
Akash & Kamri21 (7, 7, 7)Argentine tango"Weird Science" — Oingo BoingoSafe
Mandla & Brightyn23 (8, 8, 7)Charleston"Witch Doctor" — CartoonsSafe
Mackenzie & Sage25 (8, 8, 9)Jive"Monster Mash" — Atwater Men's ClubSafe
Jason & Elliana25 (8, 9, 8)Argentine tango"Youngblood" — 5 Seconds of SummerSafe
Ariana & Artyon22 (7, 8, 7)Paso doble"Ways to be Wicked" — from Descendants 2Safe
Honey Boo Boo & Tristan21 (7, 7, 7)Jazz"Ghostbusters" — Ray Parker Jr.bgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Sky & JT26 (9, 9, 8)Jive"Little Shop of Horrors" — Kidz BopSafe
Miles & Rylee27 (9, 9, 9)Samba"I Want Candy" — Bow Wow WowSafe

Week 5: Juniors' Choice

Each couple performed one unlearned dance to a song of their choice. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

CoupleScores[26] DanceMusic[27] Result
Miles & Rylee27 (9, 9, 9)Jazz"Space Jam" — Quad City DJ'sSafe
Mackenzie & Sage27 (9, 9, 9)Cha-cha-cha"What if" — Johnny Orlando & Mackenzie ZieglerSafe
Jason & Elliana25 (9, 8, 8)Jazz"It's Tricky" — Run-DMCbgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Akash & Kamri20 (7, 7, 6)Charleston"Do Your Thing" — Basement JaxxSafe
Sky & JT23 (8, 8, 7)Samba"The Greatest" — SiaSafe
Mandla & Brightyn25 (8, 9, 8)Cha-cha-cha"Perm" — Bruno MarsSafe
Ariana & Artyon28 (9, 9, 10)Jazz"Rolex" — Ayo & TeoSafe

Week 6: Giving Thanks

Each couple performed one unlearned dance dedicated to someone important in their lives. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

CoupleScores[28] DanceMusic[29] Result
Ariana & Artyon27 (9, 9, 9)Salsa"Píntame" — Elvis CrespoSafe
Mandla & Brightyn27 (9, 9, 9)Foxtrot"Isn't She Lovely" — Stevie WonderSafe
Akash & Kamri23 (8, 8, 7)Jazz"Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" — A. R. Rahman & The Pussycat Dollsbgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Miles & Rylee26 (9, 9, 8)Foxtrot"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" — Marvin GayeSafe
Sky & JT29 (9, 10, 10)Foxtrot"Unconditionally" – Katy PerrySafe
Mackenzie & Sage27 (9, 9, 9)Samba"Cheap Thrills" – Sia, featuring Sean PaulSafe

Week 7: Time Machine

Each couple performed one unlearned dance to an era of their choice. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

CoupleScores[30] DanceEraMusic[31] Result
Miles & Rylee28 (9, 9, 10)Jive1950s"Rock Around the Clock" — Bill Haley & His CometsSafe
Mackenzie & Sage26 (9, 8, 9)Jazz1980s"Call Me Maybe" — Carly Rae JepsenSafe
24 (8, 8, 8)Paso dobleFuture"Gangsta's Paradise" — 2WEIbgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Ariana & Artyon27 (9, 9, 9)Quickstep1940s"Classic" — MKTOSafe
Sky & JT27 (9, 9, 9)Charleston1920s"A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)" — Fergie, featuring Q-Tip & GoonRockSafe

Week 8: Semi-Finals

Each couple performed one unlearned dance and a team fusion dance. No elimination took place. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

CoupleScores[32] DanceMusic[33]
Mackenzie & Sage30 (10, 10, 10)Paso doble"The Edge of Glory" — Lady Gaga
Sky & JT29 (10, 9, 10)Argentine tango"Thunder" — Imagine Dragons
Miles & Rylee28 (9, 10, 9)Cha-cha-cha"Shake Señora" — Pitbull, featuring T-Pain & Sean Paul
Ariana & Artyon28 (9, 9, 10)Foxtrot"We're All in This Together" — from High School Musical
Mackenzie & Sage
Miles & Rylee
30 (10, 10, 10)Jazz &<br>Samba"Party in the U.S.A." — Miley Cyrus
Ariana & Artyon
Sky & JT
28 (10, 9, 9)Foxtrot
& Jive
"369" — Rhett George

Week 9: Finale

Each couple performed their favorite dance during the competition with their mentor and a holiday-themed freestyle. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

CoupleMentorScores[34] DanceMusic[35] Result
Gleb Savchenko28 (9, 9, 10)"What If" — Johnny Orlando & Mackenzie ZieglerRunners-up
Freestyle"Drummer Boy" — Justin Bieber, featuring Busta Rhymes
Ariana & ArtyonBrandon Armstrong30 (10, 10, 10)Jazz"Rolex" — Ayo & Teo
28 (9, 10, 9)Freestyle"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" — Lindsey Stirling, featuring Sabrina Carpenter
Miles & RyleeLindsay Arnold28 (10, 9, 9)Salsa"Who Let the Dogs Out" — Baha Men
30 (10, 10, 10)Freestyle"Sleigh Ride" — District 78
Sky & JTAlan Bersten30 (10, 10, 10)Salsa"Light it Up" — Major Lazer, featuring Nyla & Fuse ODGWinners
30 (10, 10, 10)Freestyle"Underneath the Tree" — Kelly Clarkson

Dance chart

The celebrities and professional partners danced one of these routines for each corresponding week:

Couple 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Sky & JTSalsaCha-cha-chaContemporary JiveSambaFoxtrotCharlestonArgentine tangoFoxtrot
& Jive
SalsaFreestyle
Miles & RyleeSalsaArgentine tangoCharlestonSambaJazzFoxtrotJiveCha-cha-chaJazz &<br>SambaSalsaFreestyle
Ariana & ArtyonCha-cha-chaJiveSambaPaso dobleJazzSalsaQuickstepFoxtrotFoxtrot
& Jive
JazzFreestyle
Mackenzie & SageFoxtrotQuickstepContemporaryJiveCha-cha-chaSambaJazzPaso dobleJazz &<br>SambaCha-cha-chaFreestyle
Mandla & BrightynJiveSalsaJazzCharlestonCha-cha-chaFoxtrotPaso doble
Akash & KamriFoxtrotCha-cha-chaJiveArgentine tangoCharlestonJazz
Jason & EllianaCha-cha-chaJiveFoxtrotArgentine tangoJazz
Honey Boo Boo & TristanSalsaCha-cha-chaFoxtrotJazz
Sophia & JakeJiveFoxtrotSamba
Hudson & KameronCha-cha-chaPaso doble
Tripp & HaileyFoxtrot
Addison & LevCha-cha-cha

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'The Bachelor' and 'Dancing With the Stars' Get Spinoffs at ABC. Variety. May 16, 2017. Elizabeth. Wagmeister. October 5, 2018.
  2. https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors/ Dancing with the Stars: Juniors
  3. Web site: Breaking It Down: Is 'Dancing With The Stars Juniors' Live? The Scoring Process Explained. J-14. Emily. Brozyna. October 8, 2018. October 9, 2018.
  4. Web site: 'Dancing With the Stars: Juniors': Meet the Young Dance Pros and Their Ballroom Mentors!. Entertainment Tonight. Desiree. Murphy. August 1, 2018. October 5, 2018.
  5. Web site: Dancing with the Stars: Juniors Cast Revealed — Mikayla Rubio and More!. People. Christina. Dugan. September 25, 2018. October 5, 2018.
  6. Web site: DWTS: Juniors' Tripp Palin Johnston and Addison Osta Smith Ousted in First Elimination Round. People. Christina. Dugan. October 7, 2018. October 9, 2018.
  7. Web site: Dancing with the Stars: Juniors Eliminates 11-Year-Old General Hospital Star Hudson West. People. Christina. Dugan. October 14, 2018. October 14, 2018.
  8. Web site: Dancing with the Stars: Juniors Eliminates Sophia Pippen on Disney Night. People. Christina. Dugan. October 21, 2018. October 21, 2018.
  9. Web site: 'DWTS: Juniors': Was Honey Boo Boo's Halloween-Themed Dance Enough to Keep Her in the Competition?. Entertainment Tonight. Desiree. Murphy. October 28, 2018. October 29, 2018.
  10. Web site: Dancing with the Stars: Juniors: Jason Maybaum eliminated in week 5. Carter Matt. November 12, 2018. November 12, 2018.
  11. Web site: 'Dancing With the Stars: Juniors' Eliminates Akash Vukoti in Thanksgiving-Themed Episode. Anna. Rumer. Pop Culture. November 18, 2018. November 19, 2018.
  12. Web site: 'Dancing With the Stars: Juniors' Cuts Competition Down to Four Couples -- See Who Got Sent Home. Zach. Seemayer. Entertainment Tonight. November 25, 2018. November 26, 2018.
  13. Web site: 'Dancing with the Stars: Juniors': Sky Brown and JT Church dance their way to the top spot. Erin. Jensen. USA Today. December 10, 2018. December 10, 2018.
  14. Web site: Jordan Fisher and Frankie Muniz to Host 'Dancing With the Stars: Juniors' (Exclusive) . Murphy . Desiree . . July 31, 2018 . October 6, 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181006000413/https://www.etonline.com/jordan-fisher-and-frankie-muniz-to-host-dancing-with-the-stars-juniors-exclusive-107042 . October 6, 2018 .
  15. Web site: DWTS: Juniors: Adam Rippon, Mandy Moore and Val Chmerkovskiy to Judge . Iannucci . Rebecca . . July 30, 2018 . October 6, 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181006001201/https://tvline.com/2018/07/30/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors-adam-rippon-mandy-moore-judges/ . October 6, 2018 .
  16. Web site: 'Dancing With the Stars Juniors' 2018 Pros, Judges & Hosts. Heavy. Weigle. Lauren. October 7, 2018 . October 7, 2018.
  17. Web site: Dancing with the Stars: Juniors on Instagram. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/Bp99mV9nrMZ . 2021-12-24 . limited. November 12, 2018.
  18. Web site: 'Dancing with the Stars: Juniors' premiere recap: Were the pint-sized celebs as good as the grown-ups?. Gold Derby. Daniel. Montgomery. October 7, 2018. October 9, 2018.
  19. Web site: 'Dancing With the Stars: Juniors' Eliminates First Two Contestants -- Find Out Who Went Home!. Entertainment Tonight. Desiree. Murphy. October 7, 2018. October 9, 2018.
  20. Web site: 'Dancing with the Stars: Juniors' Song from the Year I Was Born recap: Who excelled, and who just made you feel old?. Gold Derby. Daniel. Montgomery. October 14, 2018. October 14, 2018.
  21. News: Dancing with the Stars: Juniors: Song From The Year I Was Born (10/14). Disney–ABC Television Group. October 8, 2018. October 8, 2018. en-US.
  22. Web site: 'Dancing with the Stars: Juniors' Disney Night recap: Sunday night's Disney dances were child's play. Gold Derby. Daniel. Montgomery. October 21, 2018. October 21, 2018.
  23. Web site: DANCING WITH THE STARS: JUNIORS Presents 'Disney Night'. BroadwayWorld.com. October 16, 2018. October 21, 2018.
  24. Web site: 'DWTS: Juniors' 5th Judge': 'Honey Boo Boo' Faces Elimination for the First Time. TooFab. TooFab Staff. October 28, 2018. October 29, 2018.
  25. Web site: 'Dancing With the Stars Juniors' Spoilers & Performances Tonight. Heavy.com. Lauren. Weigle. October 28, 2018. October 29, 2018.
  26. Web site: 'Dancing with the Stars: Juniors' recap: Did the kids pick wisely for their Juniors Choice dances?. Gold Derby. Daniel. Montgomery. November 11, 2018. November 11, 2018.
  27. Web site: Scoop: Coming Up on a New Episode of DANCING WITH THE STARS: JUNIORS on ABC - Sunday, November 11, 2018. BroadwayWorld.com. October 29, 2018. November 11, 2018.
  28. Web site: 'Dancing with the Stars: Juniors' Giving Thanks Night recap: Which kids had reason to be grateful?. Gold Derby. Daniel. Montgomery. November 18, 2018. November 19, 2018.
  29. Web site: Scoop: Coming Up on a New Episode of DANCING WITH THE STARS: JUNIORS on ABC - Sunday, November 18, 2018. BroadwayWorld.com. November 18, 2018. November 19, 2018.
  30. Web site: 'Dancing with the Stars: Juniors' Time Machine Night recap: The final 5 kids rocked around the clock. Gold Derby. Daniel. Montgomery. November 25, 2018. November 26, 2018.
  31. Web site: Scoop: Coming Up on a New Episode of DANCING WITH THE STARS: JUNIORS on ABC - Sunday, November 25, 2018. BroadwayWorld.com. November 19, 2018. November 26, 2018.
  32. Web site: 'Dancing with the Stars: Juniors' Semi-Finals Recap: Who danced their way to the grand finale?. Gold Derby. Daniel. Montgomery. December 2, 2018. December 2, 2018. en-US.
  33. News: 'Dancing With the Stars: Juniors' Announces Semi-Finals Songs, Dances. Anna. Rumer. popculture.com. December 2, 2018. December 2, 2018. en-US.
  34. Web site: 'Dancing with the Stars: Juniors' The Finale Holiday Special Recap: Did the right team win the kids' crown?. Gold Derby. Daniel. Montgomery. December 9, 2018. December 9, 2018.
  35. Web site: 'Dancing With The Stars: Juniors' Spoilers: What Will Teams Perform For Finals?. IBTimes. Lauren. Dubois. December 7, 2018. December 10, 2018.